Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Michigan State Open
Powless, Hoosiers Impress at Season-Opening MSU Open
11/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 13, 2010
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Indiana University wrestling team began the 2010-11 season on Saturday, competing the Michigan State Open. Head Coach Duane Goldman saw nine of his wrestlers place in the tournament, including 197-pound champion Matt Powless and four additional finalists.
INDIANA PLACERS
1st- Matt Powless (197 lbs.)
2nd- Matt Ortega (133 lbs.)
2nd- Kurt Kinser (149 lbs.)
2nd- Paul Young (157 lbs.)
2nd- Ricky Alcala (285 lbs.)
3rd- Justin Brooks (125 lbs.)
3rd- Joe Fagiano (285 lbs.)
3rd- Taylor Walsh (157 lbs.; Freshman/Sophomore Division)
5th- Nick Avery (174 lbs.)
Powless ripped off four consecutive victories to earn the 197-pound title. He opened his season with a 22-10 major decision over Cleveland State's Ryan Crabtree and concluded the MSU Open by topping Matt Wilps of Pitt in an 8-5 decision.
Kinser battled his way to the finals for the third straight year at the MSU Open, winning championships in both 2008 and 2009. In this season's title match, No. 6 Kinser faced No. 5 Kevin LeValley of Bucknell, with the Bison posting a 5-0 winner.
Ortega, Young and Alcala all joined Kinser in the finals. Ortega got right to business in his first match of the season, sticking his opening round opponent in just six seconds. He then followed with back-to-back decisions to advance to the championship match.
Young bullied his way to the finals, pinning his first three adversaries before recording a 17-6 major decision in the semifinals. Young now has 27 career pins in a Hoosier singlet, cracking the school's all-time top-10.
Alcala, a transfer from UC-Davis, made an impressive debut as a Hoosier. The California native had his hand raised after four of five bouts, earning a second place finish in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, his teammate Joe Fagiano was also in the heavyweight bracket. Fagiano dropped just one decision as well, opposed to five wins for a third place showing.
Brooks, a redshirt freshman, also made his Indiana debut on Saturday. He strung together four straight wins in the 125-pound wrestleback to take his spot on the podium in third place.
Avery made a push to the 174-lbs. championship draw semifinals before suffering his first defeat of the day. The Foxboro, Mass., native then notched one more victory to finish fifth.
Indiana's final placer was true freshman Taylor Walsh. He had a long day for sure, falling in his first match before grinding through six triumphs in the 157-pound Freshman/Sophomore Division wrestlebacks to seize third place.
The Cream and Crimson head to Wabash on Thursday, Nov. 18 for their first dual match of the season. That showdown is scheduled for a 6:30 pm start.
Players Mentioned
